Automatic sprinkler for fire-extinguishers



(No Model.)

A. M. GRANGER.

AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER FOR FIRE EXTINGUISHERS.

No. 331,394. Patented Dec. 1, 1885.

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ALMON M. GRANGER, OF MEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS.

AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER FOR FIRE-EXTINGUISHERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 331,394, dated December 1, 1885.

Application filed December 9.1884. Serial No. 149,899. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALMoN M. GRANGER, residing at Medford, in the county of Middle sex and State of Massachusetts, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Sprinklers for Fire-Extinguishers, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to automatic sprinklers for the purpose of extinguishing fires; and it consists in the construction hereinafter set forth, whereby a rotary valve-distributer, while being used as a valve, is heldoff its pivotal support when not in operation, but is dropped to its support when the water is flowing; also in an improved construction of retating sprayer or distributer; also in a nonfusible securing device which may be readily adjusted to hold the valve closed temporarily; also in details of construction, as hereinafter pointed out and claimed.

The object of the invention is to produce an automatic sprayer, which may be quickly closed to stop water damage, temporarily held in closed position after a fire shall have been extinguished, and to improve the construction of the working parts.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the frame, nozzle, and lever, the lever being down and the sprayer removed. Fig. 2 is a similar elevation of the complete device as applied to the pipe. Fig. 3 is avertical crosssection of the device, the rotating sprayer elevated in position to close the nozzle in full lines, but shown in depressed or rotating position in dotted lines. Fig. at is a top plan, and Fig. 5 a bottom plan, of the rotating sprayer or distributer.

A indicates the nozzle, on which the frame B screws, as is usual in devices of this character, the frame being locked in position, when desirable, by set-screw O. The bottom of the frame bears a fixed spindle, D, of such length as to extend into the socket in the bottom of the rotating distributer E, when the latter is raised to bear against the nozzle, (see Fig. 3,) and having a conical top, which serves as a bearing for the rotation of said distributer when depressed.

E is the rotating distributer, which has a hollow hub, F, on its lower face. When in its lowest position, this spindle. will not quite reach the bar of the frame 13. A lever, G, is pivoted near the bottom of the frame B, and has a cam-bearing surface, H. This lever may be a forked lever, having one prong at each .side of the frame, or may be simply placed alongside the frame, as shown, in such position that the bearingsurface H will, when the lever is raised, come against thebottom of the hub F, and lift the valve-distributer, but not far enough to lift it clear from the spindle D, which spindle thus serves as a guide. The frame B should have a projection or horn, I, which will receive one end of a fusible link, J. When lever G is turned up against the frame, the link J is slipped over the end thereof and over the horn I. The bearing H holds the spindle F up. The distributer-Valve is held firmly against the nozzle, and, if properly constructed, leakage from the nozzle is impossible. On the fusing or breakage of link J the lever G falls and the distributer falls until it is supported only on the spindle D, where it can be rotated with very slight expenditure of power. The lever G has a non-fusiblelink or hook,K, attached. When the lever has fallen, it may be returned to closed position by pressing up with a stick or rod just below the link K. The fusible link having melted away link K will be folded over the horn I, and Willhold the device closed; but before the fusible link can be applied the link K must be thrown back, and while the fusible link is in position it will be impossible to lock the device by the nonfusible attachment. The rotating distributer has spiral wings 0r vanes surrounding a central disk portion. The inner ends of these vanes are about on a level with the floor of the distributer, but gradually rise toward the periphery. The spiral construction causes the distributer to rotate with great rapidity when water is allowed to flow from the nozzle upon its face, the distributer being then depressed and resting on spindle D. The peculiar forms of the blades or vanes give an upward as well as an outward distribution to the water, throw ing it off as a spray rather than spattering it in drops, as a fixed plate would do. As the blades of the distributer have no inner corners, any threads or fibers which may lodge thereon will be immediately washed off by the current of passing water. Y

A packing-ring, O, of soft metal or similar material, may be inserted in the face of the distributer.

I claim 1. In an automatic sprinkler, a nozzle, a rotating valve-distributer in front of the nozzle, a socketed spindle on said valve, a fixed spindle which enters the socket of said rotating valve, but supports it only in depressed position, and a lever bearing on the valve-hub to hold it in closed position, the combination being and operating substantially as described.

2. In an automatic sprinkler, the combina tion of a nozzle, an encircling-frame thereon having a fixed spindle in front of and extending toward thenozzle-opening,arotating valvedistributer having a socketed hub mounted on the fixed spindle, and a lever pivoted in the frame in the line of the valvespindle.

3. A rotating distributer-valve having spiral arms rising gradually from the plane of the face of the valve and from their highest points descending toward their periphery, said distributer havingahub containing a closed socket on its reverse face, substantially as shown.

4. In an automatic sprinkler, the combination of the nozzle, the closing-valve, and a nonfusible temporary valveretaining piece, substantially as described.

5. In an automatic sprinkler, the combination, with the nozzle, the valve, the valveretaining mechanism, and a fusible piece operating to retain the valve closed, of a nonfusible piece attached permanently to the valve-closing mechanism, the fusible and nonfusible parts looking to the same seat, so that the non-fusible catch must be displaced in applying the fusible piece, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

ALMON M. GRANGER.

\Vitnesses:

- W. A. BARTLETT,

SoLoN O. KEMON. 

